Recovery Footwear To Enhance Performance: 10 Best Oofos

The best Oofos footwear cradles and protects feet after demanding workouts. You may have heard of Oofos or other recovery footwear brands. Maybe you watched athletes such as runners stepping into slides or sandals after a marathon or other race. What is recovery footwear and how can it help your workouts?

Oofos is a growing recovery footwear line. While it is not the only recovery footwear brand, runners and other athletes who abuse their feet on a daily basis swear by Oofos. These sandals look like classic slides or flip-flops, but they do much more than air out your tired feet. Recovery footwear aims to unburden, relieve and dry post-workout feet, while also providing superior arch support. The best Oofos models provide recovery and look great, too.

The Role of Your Feet in Fitness

Overstating the importance of healthy feet for overall wellness is impossible. Doctors and fitness experts say the key to health and longevity is daily activity. Most exercises require feet, and foot injuries from overuse and lack of rest can send you to the sidelines. Other exercise-related injuries, such as a pulled back, can be coaxed back into shape through walking. If you cannot walk due to sore feet, you risk exercise and wellness limbo.

Rest and recovery for your feet

This is where a recovery sandal or shoe shines. Oofos footwear helps avoid injury, by providing immediate respite after you go hard on your feet. Rest is a crucial component for exercise, not only for preventing injury but also for increasing athletic performance and maximizing results. With the best Oofos recovery footwear, you can protect your feet from the rigors of exercise.

Common exercise-induced injuries include plantar fasciitis, stress fractures to bones in the feet and ankle sprains and strains. Overuse is the prime culprit in these injuries, so rest in general — regardless of footwear — can help minimize the type of pain and discomfort that can interrupt exercise routines.

About the Oofos Brand

A few runner friends who noticed a vast space in the footwear market started the Oofos brand. Almost every brand and model of athletic footwear was aimed at propelling the foot forward. This athletic aim made sense, as people do not want to feel weighed down by their athletic shoes. When working out, sneakers should primarily provide a leg-up in the activity or sport. A running shoe should make you run faster, either through a lightweight construction or responsive design. Similarly, the best training shoes help weightlifters move about the gym quickly while providing support.

At the time, some bulky running shoes provided comfort, but these often held an athlete back. It seemed that athletes needed a separate product, one that would give the comfort of a knock-around sandal with added support. Oofos absorbs shock after a workout with its proprietary closed-cell foam. The best Oofos are shockingly light, but still provide over 37 percent more shock absorption than traditional EVA, which is the foam typically used in athletic shoes.

Oofos product line

Although the best Oofos footwear focuses on recovery, the company offers its comfort technology in several models. Its original product is the recovery sandal, which is a slip-on with a thong for between the wearer's toes, just like a flip-flop. Next is a slide, which puts the original Oofos molded footbed into slide-in comfort. The last two products are for people who want more of a shoe-like construction in their recovery footwear. The Oofos clog is like the slide, but with a covered toebox, and the new Oofos shoe takes recovery footwear full circle, resembling an airy athletic shoe.

Benefits of the best Oofos footwear

Each of the products contains Oofos foam, called OOfoam. Oofoam works in the opposite way of most athletic shoes. Instead of propelling the wearer forward for greater performance, OOfoam absorbs energy. Instead of adding spring to your step, think of Oofos as sucking the energy out of your feet. Imagine a comfortable modern-day foam mattress, and you’ll get the idea. With Oofos, you sink into your shoes.

Molded archways for extra support

In addition to the cushy feel, the Oofos footbed cradles your arch. Your ordinary, run-of-the-mill flip-flop or sandal has a flat footbed, which splays your foot out. Over time, these flat-bedded shoes leave your feet wider, which is the opposite of how you want your feet to be for relaxation and recovery.

The patented footbed and arch support reduce stress not only on your feet but also on knees, legs, and backs. Oofos does not have a flat footbed but instead uses a patented footbed design that mimics a foot’s natural shape. This form-fitted feel allows your foot to move more naturally, which aids in total recovery. Have you ever walked in flip-flops for an entire day during vacation, then cursed the flimsy footwear as the soles of your feet throbbed? The experience in the best Oofos is the opposite.

Oofos functionality and comfort go far beyond a cushiony footbed. The design of the Oofos outsole allows it to flex more naturally. This lets wearers keep their feet snug in the cradling footbed, which gives a more secure fit. The entire construction is soft, so you won’t have to fear chafing or pinch points. The cushioning is long-lasting and waterproof so that the best Oofos can replace your shower shoes, too.

Availability

As a popular brand, Oofos are available at many online and brick and mortar sporting goods retailers. Amazon carries a full line of Oofos products, as does Zappos and JackRabbit.com. Oofos also has its own ecommerce portal on its website.

Special features and warranty

In addition to its help for your feet, Oofos rewards heavy-duty athletes who may need to become repeat customers. Runners know that each pair of sneakers they buy has a finite lifespan, usually keyed to so many miles.

Although Oofos foam is touted as long-lasting, if you wear your Oofos often, just like any other shoe, they will eventually wear out. Oofos suggests replacing them when you replace your running shoes, which for many runners is every six months. Oofos has a rewards program for customers to earn points for purchases. In this way, customers are given an incentive to stick with the Oofos brand.

The Oofos warranty is good for 6 months. The warranty ensures that the recovery sandals, clogs or shoes are free from defects. Of course, it does not cover normal wear and tear.

Top Ten Oofos Shoes Across the Product Line

Since Oofos sells a variety of products, we decided to narrow down the choices to the best available today. We researched and reviewed the features of each to come up with a list of the top ten best Oofos shoes. Although Oofos come in women’s and men’s stylings, the products are identical

This Oofos looks like a pair of flip-flops atop a running shoe outsole. It has all of the features and benefits of Oofos technology in a comfortable shoe that has the look and feel of a summer sandal. Running experts praise this product, and online comments from purchasers echo this sentiment.

The few negative comments complained about the lack of durability. Some also noted that the foam material is not sweat-absorbent, unlike leather sandals. Prices range from $50 to $65. This product has been rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by Amazon reviewers.

Essentially, the Oofos slide is just like the OOriginal thong sandal except that it has a band that covers and secures the front of the foot. Some people dislike the sensation of a thong between their toes. For these consumers, the Ooah Luxe slide is right up their alley. It has the same Oofoam technology and is also water-resistant and machine washable.

Customers online say that the slide is as if a “Birkenstock and a Croc had a baby.” Negative comments were few, and were along similar lines as the thong model, complaining about durability and price. Prices range from $45 to $60. This product is rated 4.4 of out 5 stars on Amazon.

Almost identical to the Ooah Luxe slide, the Sport model incorporates a more-active design. The comfort and support technology is the same, but this slide comes in a few different colors. There are both marathon, and Project Pink themed designs available as well.

Online customer reviews note that the product is the same as the standard slides, just with the added decor. Prices range from $50 to $70. The Sport model has an Amazon rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.

The Oolala Sandal is a different spin on the classic Oofos thong sandal design. It features a slightly cushier footbed and is primarily marketed as a women’s post-run lounger and recovery shoe. It comes in 18 different colors and designs.

Customers rave about this product, not just for its recovery and support, but also for its looks. Some of the designs are less-than durable, though, as some commenters complained of decals and colors peeling or fading quickly. Prices range from $55 to $70. This model has a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating on Amazon.

The first Oofos design divergence comes from the brand’s clogs. The Ooclog takes all of Oofos’ technology in comfort and support and puts it into a clog format. Some people like to protect or hide their toes, and a clog is wearable with socks in cooler weather. Differences include a bit of leather in the upper construction and added ventilation points near the sides of the clogs.

Reviewers love the clogs, likening the wearing experience to walking on clouds. Unlike the slides and sandals, these are multi-functional. Commenters said that the clogs worked well as shoes for those who stand up all day long. Some had negative reactions to the design, indicating that the outers wore quickly. Prices range from $55 to $75. This item has an Amazon rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.

Nearly identical to the original Ooclog, the Sport model adds a graphic logo overlay and removes the leather content.

Reviewers also liked the sport, but some noted that the fit was more snug than other Oofos products. Prices range from $50 to $75. Amazon reviewers have given this product a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

OOmg shoe, low

Just like the Ooclog is a big jump from a sandal to an all-day product, the OOmg line of slip-on shoes tries to put Oofos' comfort and recovery technology into your daily walks, work use and more.

Customers reviews noted the superior comfort but also cautioned that the shoes run small, so take note when selecting your shoes and size down a half size. Prices range from $115 to $130. As a new product, there are no star ratings yet.

OOmg shoe, mid

Offered only for women, the mid version of the OOmg shoe provides additional ankle support. It retains all of the comfort tech, too. It looks more like a bootie than a slip-on sneaker. Available only at Oofos.com, this sports bootie has all of the features of the best Oofos sandal, with total foot comfort.

Reviewers liked the comfort but noted that as a full bootie-style shoe, the shoes are easier to pull on if you order a half-size up. Prices range from $130 to $140. There are no star ratings yet due to the newness of this product.

OOmg shoe, Fibre high

Also offered in a women-only styling, the high-top version of the OOmg is like a throwback basketball sneaker mashed-up with cozy slippers. It features a Fibre mesh upper. This is a new style, only available at Oofos.com.

Prices range from $130 to $150. Because this item is so new, it doesn't have many reviews or star ratings yet.

OOmg shoe, Fibre

A new product on the Oofos bench, the Fibre is a men's low slip-on shoe with a sleek, breathable mesh upper. OOmg fits like a shoe, and the Fibre tech makes sure that the shoe breathes like a sandal. The result is a superior, all-day comfort and retained recovery benefits. You can buy the men's OOmg Fibre at Oofos.com.

Prices range from $130 to $150. As this is another part of the new Oofos product line, the Fibre shoe has no online reviews as of yet and no star rating.

Best Oofos Shoes for Your Money

Each of the Oofos product lines provides identical support, comfort and recovery benefits. However, we believe that the more you take the product design in the direction of a shoe, the more recovery benefits you lose as well. If recovery is your goal, sticking with the original or the slide is your best bet.

Have you tried any of the Oofos products? Have you tried several, and if so, which do you think is the best? Oofos recovery footwear is a comfortable and supportive fitness tool, but people have varied experiences with the product. Let us know your thoughts about the best Oofos in the comments below.